Dave Bakke: Brandt’s Broads may get back together

You most likely wouldn’t be reading a column about Brandt Consolidated’s women’s slow-pitch softball team from 40 years ago if it weren’t for its name: Brandt’s Broads.

We’re talking the early 1970s here, and “it was a different time” as the saying goes. The term “broad” back then was a sort of hip, Frank Sinatra-Rat Pack thing. The term lived in the same neighborhood as “dame” and “tomato.”

A woman’s athletic team would never be named “Broads” today, not outside of roller derby anyway. I believe Peoria’s roller derby team is the Derby Dames. But Brandt’s Broads was the name of this particular softball team and nobody was offended, least of all the players.

“We used to laugh about the name, and I got blamed for it,” says Glen Brandt, who co-founded the Brandt company along with his sister, Evelyn. “But they picked it out. I just helped them with a little bit of sponsorship.”

Kathy Gardner Leming was one of the youngest team members. She remembers it this way; Glen named the team himself.

“My recollection,” says Kathy, “and I’m working on some confirmation on this, is that Mr. Brandt said (to) buy the fanciest uniforms you want, providing he got to name the team. Now I see he says he got blamed and we picked out the name.”

Well, who picked out the name is all water under the broad bridge now. But since the players had been taking the field in T-shirts and jeans until Glen sponsored them, the new uniforms he bought were an agreeable turn of events. Glen outfitted the team in sharp, white uniforms with green and orange trim.

Aside from their unique name and sharp uniforms, there is a bigger reason I am writing today about this team. The Broads want to get the band back together again. Last year being the 60th anniversary of Brandt Consolidated, people were in a nostalgic mood. But among the other anniversary activities, the reunion of the Broads didn’t get done. But, this year, it’s on.

The team didn’t last long, 1972-75 give or take a year or two. But the memories are strong.

“This was quite an experience for me,” Kathy says, “and something my folks approved of 100 percent. I’m sure they were thinking it might keep me out of trouble during the summer.

“We played in the women’s league at the Springfield Recreation Department. I think in 1972 there were only four teams in the league.”

Kathy has begun tracking down former Brandt team members, starting with one in Portland, Ore., who might be the one living the farthest from Springfield. She has put out word on the Internet and that, along with word of mouth, has the information on the reunion spreading.

Page 2 of 2 - So far, eight former players have been contacted and all are interested in coming to Springfield for a reunion this summer, perhaps the weekend after Memorial Day. If the reunion happens, Glen will be there.

“We had a lot of fun with that team, and they were really good,” says Glen. “They knew how to play the game. After all these years, I’m looking forward to getting the team back together.”

Know of something quirky? Emotional? Funny? Inspiring? Dave Bakke is your man and his deadline is always near. Pitch your idea to him at dave.bakke@sj-r.com or at 788-1541. His column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. To read more, visit www.sj-r.com/bakke.